Hanukkah events canceled in Bangor

BANGOR, Maine — Local synagogues cancelled Hanukkah events planned for late Sunday afternoon due to the blizzard predicted to hit the city about 3 p.m.

Congregations Beth Israel, 144 York St., and Beth El, 183 French St., had scheduled parties for the first night of the Festival of Lights.

The holiday began at sundown Sunday and ends at sundown Dec. 29.

Rabbi David Schwarzman of Beth Israel urged members of his congregation and the public to take part in the Red Cross blood drive being held 9 – 3 p.m. Wednesday at his synagogue. The event is being sponsored by the Greater Bangor Jewish community.

Beth El’s Rabbi Darah Lerner said in message on the synagogue’s answering machine Sunday that the party might be rescheduled.

The annual Hanukkah party at the Blaine House, the Augusta home of Maine’s governors, was scheduled to be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22. It’s a custom begun in 1994 by former first lady Mary Herman and her husband, then-Gov. Angus King, Gov. John Baldacci and first lady Karen Baldacci will be hosts for the event, which draws Jews from all over the state to the governor’s mansion. There was no word Sunday afternoon on whether the snowstorm would affect the event.

Adas Yoshuron, 50 Willow St., in Rockland, will hold its Hanukkah event from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28, the night when the last candle on the menorah is lit.